Electronic driving assurance system



Oct. 15, 1963 D. G. cHAKlRls ELECTRONIC DRIVING ASSURANCE SYSTEM Filed April s. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR DMErR/z/S G. CHA/(ms,

Oct. 15, 1963 D. G.cHAK1R1s ELECTRONIC DRIVING ASSURANCE SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5. 1961 INVENTOR 0in/1E rR/us 6. cf/A/r//e/s,

United States Patent i 3,106,81 ELESTRQNEC DRFJNG ASSURANQE SYSTEM Demetrius G. Jhalriria Dayton, (Ehio, assigne-r to Metro- P/iac, Enc., Dayton, Ghia, a corporation of Fiied Apr. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 169,37i

i?. Ciaims. (Ci. ld-32) This invention relates to a novel electronic driving assurance system.

Generally, the system utilizes for its operation the absence of the constant slight oscillatory movement of the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle required to maintain the moving vehicle aligned with the road. By' a Very simple and rugged detector device having ibut one moving part, for example, a perforated shield not subjected to stresses or wearing friction, and photoelectric means controlled thereby, electrical pulses are generated. The electrical pulses are amplied by an `all transistor system including a iirst timing network that operates a warning signal when steering motions cease as a result of incapacitation of the vehicle driver for a dangerous period of time. A second timing network coupled to the warning network is designed to automatically apply the vehicle brakes if steering motions are not resumed within a safely short period after the warning signal is energized.

The system also includes a vehicle-speed-responsive device and a sharp-turn-responsive branch circuit to prevent undesirable operation of the system by abnormally slow speed-s and/or unusually sharp turns, the latter interrupting the light pulses as will hereinafter appear.

yWhile it has been heretofore proposed to utilize the oscillations of the steering wheel during normal driving to rinhibit a warning system that automatically operates when the oscillations cease, such suggested apparatus is complicated, costly and subject to failure caused by wear or breakage of the moving parts thereof.

It is accordingly a principal object of this invention to provide a combined alarm and brake-applying sy'stem responsive to cessation of steering wheel oscillations, which system is primarily elec ronic.

it is another object of the invention to provide such an apparatus utilizing transistors for all of the ampliiier and relay devices, for greater durability and reliability.

it is a further object to provide apparatus of the type disclosed in which the mechanical parts thereof are reduced to a minimum and contain no rubbing parts subject to failure due to wear.

It is the overall object of this invention to generally improve the efficiency 'and reliability of a safety system of the type disclosed.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specication taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of the `steering detector part of the system;

FEGURE 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the functional interrelations of the several parts of the system; and

FiGURE 3 is a wiring diagram of the electronic circuitry oi the system.

With reference to the drawings, numeral lo rdesignates a conventional steering wheel for an automotive vehicle. Wheel 19 is mounted on a steering post ii and has a hub portion 12 and connecting spokes 13. f

Numeral i4 generally designates a housing for the photoelectric parts of the apparatus. Housing i4 is mounted on a bracket 15 connectable by any suitable clamp or other structure, not shown, to steering post il. Housing i4 is split transversely and medially to define a channel i6 through which the arcuate light shield i7 passes as the steering wheel rotates or oscillates and to 3,1%,93 l Patented Get. l5, 1963 HCC which it is fastened `by arm 19 and screw 2i?. The two halves of the housing ld are rigidly interconnected by conventional means (not shown) located radially beyond the periphery of the arcuate light shield 17.

Shield i7 has any desired arcuate extent, such `as for example 20, which allows 10 on each side of the norm-al yor zero position of steering wheel it?. Shield 17 has two parallel concentric tracks, the inner one of `which contains the row of apertures i8 and the Vouter one which is imperforate. Thus the inner track has `areas (the apertures) having a first physical characteristic (high light transmissivity) interlaced with areas between the apertures having a second physical characteristic (opacity or zero light transmissivity) differing from the iirst characteristic in degree. The outer track is constant in its physical characteristic of opacity.

lamp, or lamps, L, FGURE 2, is located in the housing l@ on one side of the lshield-spanning slot 16, and the two photoelectric cells PHI and PHE are located on the other side thereof, the lamp or iamps and the cells being supported in the lhousing `by conventional structures (not shown). `Cell PHE is located so vas to receive light beamed toward the same in pulses through apertures i8 as the shield is oscillated during normal steering while cell PHE receives light beamed toward the same only when the steering wheei is turned more than 10 from zero position to swing sln'eld i7 completely out of shielding position between lamp L and photoelectric cells. Leads 2i connect the photoelectric cells and lamp L, respectively, to the electronic apparatus and to a source of power.

With reference to FiGURE 3, the steering-responsive photoelectric cell Pil-ii and resistor RlA are connected in series across the power input leads 22(plus) and 23(minus), to constitute a voltage divider and provide the variable bias voltage for the base of transistor T1, since photoelectric cell PHL being -of the photo-conductive type, changes resistance inversely proportionally to the light intensity.

The on-Oii light 'beam through apertures 18 thus produces a pulse-type signal that is amplified lby ltransistor Tl, the output appearing at the emitter thereof across resistor Ri for coupling through capacitor C1 to the second amplifier transistor T2. The amplied output from transistor TZ is `coupled by capacitor C3 to a trigger circuit comprising transistors T3 and T4. The trigger circuit converts the signal from the steering-.detecting photocell PI-l to pulses, the negative phases of which trigger the multivibrator T5 and To. rhe sensitivity of the trigger circuit is controlled to the potentiometer R6.

When pulses are received from the trigger circuit, transistor To of the multivibrator remains in the ofi state while transistor T6 is in the on condition. Resistors Ri, R26 and R23 and capacitor-s C6 and C8 rcomprise the warning timing network, which is shunted by the transistor To in its on state, corresponding to norm-al driving conditions, and thus is prevented from becoming charged sufciently to operate transistor T7.

Upon incapacitation of the driver, however, no pulse signals are transmitted to the multivibrator, thus causing transistor T5 to conduct and transistor T6 to be oli ri'his opens the shunt circuit across the warning timing network permitting it to charge up to a potential suiiicient to bias the base of transistor T7 to a conducting value.

Conducting transistor T7 biases the base of a power transistor T9 to a conducting potential and the latter operates the warning signal H, which can be the vehicle horn, and simultaneously begins charging the brake timing network. The brake timing network comprises a capacitor Citi and resistors R25 and R24. W'nen said brake timing network becomes sufficiently charged to amasar render the transistor Till conductive, this in turn biases the base of transistor Tll and the latter energizes the brake-applying solenoid B to stop the vehicle automatically.

In order to prevent undesirable energization of the warning signal and/ or automatic application of the brakes when the vehicle is stopped or'is moving too slowly, a small A.C. generator 25 is employed and is coupled, for example, to the speedometer cable of the vehicle by any suitable means, not shown, which generator supplies in relation to speed a current, which can be preset to a value sufficiently low to prevent transistor T3 which acts as a switch from operating, thus turning oil the warningtiming network.

rille output from generator 25 is rectified by a diode 2 and the resulting pulsating DE. voltage is impressed on the base of a transistor T8 to which it is coupled by resistor R22 and a potentiometer R21, the latter providing means for varying the minimum speed at which the speed-responsive network will effect its inhibiting action. The diode D3 is a Zener diode employed to prevent eX- cess voltage, at high vehicle speeds, from damaging transistor T8.

The rectied D.C. signal supplies the bias to transistor T8 switching current from voltage supply 22 and is coupled to resistor R18 to the collector of transistor To of the multivibrator so as to maintain the latter in its on or inhibiting state at vehicle speeds below .the selected minimum whether or not steering-responsive pulses are being fed thereto.

A further reiinement for preventing undesirable operation of the system during such sharp turning or" the vehicle Vas would remove shield i7 from its position within housing 14,'comprises a second photoelectric cell PHZ coupled to the base of transistor T5 ot the multivibrator. This turn-detecting cell so coupled produces a regenerative circuit that generates electric oscillatory pulses having the same inhibiting eiect on the system as the pulses generated by the steering-responsive photocell PHl.

Variable resistor R26 is the control varying the time delay for the warning signal. Resistor R23 is a semiadjustable resistor -for setting the liked bias of transistor T7. Resistor R25 is a variable resistor for adg'usting the time delay for the automatic braking operation. Resistor R24 is a semi-adjustable resistor for varying the xed bias of transistor T16.

The operation of the system is illustrated by the block diagram of FIGURE. 2. During normal steering of the vehicle, the steering wheel, FIGURE 1, is oscillated suficiently, in keeping the vehicle aligned with the road, to cause light from lamp L to reach photocell Pl-ll in pulses which are translated into electric pulse signals. The electric pulse signals are fed to the preampliiier, thence to the pulse trigger amplier and from the latter to the multivibrator, which during such normal driving, shunts the timing network, as described above, to inhibit the warning and braking networks.

lf the driver of a vehicle having a device or this invention, becomes drowsy or is otherwise incapacitated, the electrical pulses cease. This permits the timing network to become charged during' a preselected, safely short, period of time, at the end of which the warning switch, transistor T?, closes a circuit to the warning horn and simultaneously begins charging the brake timing network. LAfter a preselected, safely short, period of time, the brake timing network becomes charged suiciently to close the Y brake switch, power transistor Til, to energize the brakeapplying solenoid B.

To prevent operation of the system at very low speeds, the speed detector, generator `25, acts on the speed switch, transistor T3, to inhibit undesired operation of the multivibrator.

To prevent undesirable operation of the system during sharp turns, photocell PHE when uncovered by movement of the imperforate track part of arcuate slueld 17 @i out of shield position thereover, receives light from lamp L and becomes conductive to regeneratively couple the vibrator back to the preamplifier. This generates electric oscillations which produce the same inhibiting etiects produced by the intermittently irradiated photocell Pl-ll during normal driving.

'While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that other modifications and/or equivalents may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is deined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Safety apparatus for a vehicle having a steering wheel, comprising an arcuate element having a longitudinally extending track detined by a rst series of spaced portions having a rst physical characteristic interlaced with a second series of spaced portions having a second physical characteristicV differing from said irst characteristic primarily in degree, means for tiXing said arcuate element to said steering wheel concentrically thereof, electronic means constructed and positioned so as to produce electrical pulses in response to steering movements of said arcuate element relative thereto, electronic circuit means coupled to said electronic means and including a series of transistors interconnected as amplifying and switching elements and a capacitive timing network, and a circuit-making device controlled by said timing network for energizing a Warning signal when a preselectedY time period has elapsed after substantial cessation of steering wheel movements.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising power operated brakes for said vehicle, a second capacitive timing network coupled to said circuit-making device so as to begin charging simultaneously with energization of said Warning signal, and electrically operated means controlled by said second timing network for automatically applying the brakes of said vehicle when a preselected time period has elapsed after energization of said warning signal.

3. Apparatus according to claim l additionally coniprising a pulse-output electric generator, driving means for said generator, said driving means being coupled to the driving mechanism of said vehicle so as to have a speed of operation corresponding to the speed of sm`d vehicle, and auxiliary electronic circuit means coupling said irst .electronic circuit means to the output terminals of said electric generator so as to inihibit operati-on of said system when the frequency of said electrical pulses falls sufficiently, due to reduced vehicle speed, to otherwise cause undesired operation of said warning signal.

4. Apparatus according to claim l, said arcuate element having a second track thereon parallel to said first track, said second trackbeing longitudinally constant in the said characteristic that varies along said first track, and a second electronic means normally positioned adjacent and operable by removal of said second track for regeneratively coupling separated portions of said first electronic circuit means to generate therein oscillations having the same inhibiting effect on said iirst electronic circuit means as said pulses from said rst electronic means, thereby preventing undesired `operation of said system due to such eXtreme turning movements of said steering wheel as would move and hold said tracks away from normal driving positions thereof relative to their respective electronic means.

5. Apparatus according to claim l, said warning signal being :a power operated hom constituting an yaccessory part of said vehicle.

6. Apparatus according to claim l, said'rst track being defined by a series of spaced holes and said electronic means being a photoelectric unit.

7. Safety apparatus for ia vehicle having a steering wheel, comprising an arcuate element having a longitudinally extending track defined by a first series of spaced portions highly transmissive of light interlaced with a second series of spaced portions relatively non-transmissive of light, means for :fixing said arcuate element to said steering wheel concentrically thereof, a light source adjacent said arcuate element, photoelectric means constructed and positioned so as to produce electrical pulses in response to steering movements of said arcuate element relative thereto, electric circuit means coupled to said photoelectric means and including a series of transistors interconnected as amplifying and switching elements and a capacitive timing network, and a circuit-making device controlled by said timing network for energizing a warning signal when a preselected time period has elapsed after cessation of steering wheel movements.

8. Apparatus according -to claim 7 additionally cornprising power operated brakes -for said vehicle, a second capacitive ltiming network coupled to said circuit-making device so as to begin charging simultaneously with energization of said warning signal, and electrically operated means controlled by said second timing network for automatically applying the brakes of said vehicle when a preselected 4time period has elapsed after energization of said warning signal.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 Iadditionally comprising a pulse-output electric generator, driving means for said generator, said driving means being coupled to the driving mechanism of said vehicle so :as to Ihave a speed of operation corresponding Ito the speed of said vehicle, and auxiliary electronic circuit means coupling said first electronic circuit means to the output terminals of said electric generator so as to inhibit operation of said system when the frequency of said electrical pulses falls suiiiciently due to reduced vehicle speed to otherwise cause undesired operation of said warning signal.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7, said arcuate element having an arcuate extent not exceeding and having a second track thereon parallel to said iirst track, said second track being constant in light absorptivity therealong, and a second photoelectric means positioned adjacent and operable by removal of said second -tnack for regeneratively coupling separated pontions of said first electronic circuit means to generate therein oscillations having the same inhibiting effect on said rst electronic circuit means as said pulses from said iirst photoelectric means, thereby preventing undesired operation of said system due to such extreme turning movements of said steering Wheel as would move and hold said tracks away from normal driving positions thereof relative to their respective photoelectric means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 7, said Warning signal being a power yoperated horn constituting an accessory part of said vehicle.

12. Apparatus according to claim 7, said first track being defined by a ser-ies of spaced holes.

References Cited lin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,166,580 Caldwell July 18, 1939 2,187,761 Torrens Jan. 23, 1940 2,848,712 Preston Aug. 19, 1958 2,875,430 Kayser Feb. 24, 1959 2,888,668 Colatriano May 26, 1959 2,902,030 Kennedy Sept. 1, 1959 

1. SAFETY APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE HAVING A STEERING WHEEL, COMPRISING AN ARCUATE ELEMENT HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING TRACK DEFINED BY A FIRST SERIES OF SPACED PORTIONS HAVING A FIRST PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC INTERLACED WITH A SECOND SERIES OF SPACED PORTIONS HAVING A SECOND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC DIFFERING FROM SAID FIRST CHARACTERISTIC PRIMARILY IN DEGREE, MEANS FOR FIXING SAID ARCUATE ELEMENT TO SAID STEERING WHEEL CONCENTRICALLY THEREOF, ELECTRONIC MEANS CONSTRUCTED AND POSITIONED SO AS TO PRODUCE ELECTRICAL PULSES IN RESPONSE TO STEERING MOVEMENTS OF SAID ARCUATE ELEMENT RELATIVE THERETO, ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT 